Beach Party Weekend in Galveston

April 17, 2014 2:40 PM

Photo: Dave Rossman, For The Chronicle

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Take a look back at when Beach Party Weekend ruled Galveston in the '90s and 2000's.

Pictured: Beach Party Weekend revelers stroll the Galveston seawall in 2004. About 35,000 visitors are expected this year, a sharp decline from the 250,000 who came in the late 1990s and early 2000s. less

Take a look back at when Beach Party Weekend ruled Galveston in the '90s and 2000's.

Pictured: Beach Party Weekend revelers stroll the Galveston seawall in 2004. About 35,000 visitors are expected this year, a ... more

Photo: Dave Rossman, For The Chronicle

Take a look back at when Beach Party Weekend ruled Galveston in... Photo-6179943.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Vendors, Ed Kittrell, top right, and Cathy Jordan, bottom right, wait for costumers during Beach Party on Sunday, April 17, 2005, in Galveston. Jordan and Kittrell said not only are the crowds down but they also faced harassment from the City of Galveston. "An individual from the city tried to confiscate our merchandise even after we showed him our permit," said Jordan as Kittrell agreed. less

Vendors, Ed Kittrell, top right, and Cathy Jordan, bottom right, wait for costumers during Beach Party on Sunday, April 17, 2005, in Galveston. Jordan and Kittrell said not only are the crowds down but they ... more

A sea of people fill Seawall Boulevard during Beach Party in Galveston on Saturday, April 16, 2005. Carlos Javier Sanchez : For The Chronicle HOUCHRON CAPTION (04/17/2005) SECMETRO COLORFRONT: ABOUT 75,000 revelers turned out for Beach Party Weekend in Galveston Saturday. less

A sea of people fill Seawall Boulevard during Beach Party in Galveston on Saturday, April 16, 2005. Carlos Javier Sanchez : For The Chronicle HOUCHRON CAPTION (04/17/2005) SECMETRO COLORFRONT: ABOUT ... more

Photo: Carlos Javier Sanchez, For The Chronicle

A sea of people fill Seawall Boulevard during Beach Party in... Photo-6179948.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Beach Party begins slowly but surley in Galveston on Friday, April 15, 2005.

Beach Party begins slowly but surley in Galveston on Friday, April 15, 2005.

Video cameras were very popular along Seawall Blvd. at Beach Party Weekend in Galveston Saturday April 17,2004.

Video cameras were very popular along Seawall Blvd. at Beach Party Weekend in Galveston Saturday April 17,2004.

Photo: Dave Rossman, For The Chronicle

Video cameras were very popular along Seawall Blvd. at Beach Party... Photo-6179954.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Crowds walk along Seawall Boulevard under the watchful eye of law enforcement Saturday during Beach Party Weekend in Galveston. Galveston Mayor Roger "Bo" Quiroga says traffic counts Saturday indicated a significant decline in young people attending the party in April 2004. less

Crowds walk along Seawall Boulevard under the watchful eye of law enforcement Saturday during Beach Party Weekend in Galveston. Galveston Mayor Roger "Bo" Quiroga says traffic counts Saturday indicated a ... more

Porshia Wilson (driving), Jasmine Dean (R) and Shakera Bankston (towel on head) make their way along the seawall Saturday afternoon during the early hours of the Beach Party 2002 held in Galveston. Crowds were smaller than in years past but growing as the day wore on. Police said that there had been no incidents or trouble from the revelers. less

Porshia Wilson (driving), Jasmine Dean (R) and Shakera Bankston (towel on head) make their way along the seawall Saturday afternoon during the early hours of the Beach Party 2002 held in Galveston. Crowds were ... more

An angry reveler from Dallas partying Sunday afternoon March 22, 2001 on Galveston's East Beach during Beach Party Weekend raises her hand and rushes the photographer as she yells that there will be no photographs taken of her group of friends without paying two dollars first. The women attending the annual event sometimes require payment of a dollar or two before allowing themselves to be photographed. less

An angry reveler from Dallas partying Sunday afternoon March 22, 2001 on Galveston's East Beach during Beach Party Weekend raises her hand and rushes the photographer as she yells that there will be no ... more

Chenea Dent of Houston looks over the balcony of the Mayflower Inn to watch people walk down Galveston's seawall participating in Beach Party weekend, Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. Galveston officials say there could be 200,000 visitors on the island to participate in the festivities. less

Chenea Dent of Houston looks over the balcony of the Mayflower Inn to watch people walk down Galveston's seawall participating in Beach Party weekend, Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. Galveston ... more

Photo: CHRISTOBAL PEREZ, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Chenea Dent of Houston looks over the balcony of the Mayflower Inn... Photo-6179961.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Thousands of people flocked to Galveston's seawall to be a part of Beach Party Saturday, April 21, 2001, in Galveston. Galveston officials say there could be 200,000 visitors on the island to participate in the festivities. less

Thousands of people flocked to Galveston's seawall to be a part of Beach Party Saturday, April 21, 2001, in Galveston. Galveston officials say there could be 200,000 visitors on the island to participate in ... more

Photo: CHRISTOBAL PEREZ, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Thousands of people flocked to Galveston's seawall to be a... Photo-6179962.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Thousands of people flocked to the Galveston's seawall to be a part of Beach Party Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. Galveston officials say there could be 200,000 visitors on the island to participate in the festivities. less

Thousands of people flocked to the Galveston's seawall to be a part of Beach Party Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. Galveston officials say there could be 200,000 visitors on the island to participate in ... more

Photo: CHRISTOBAL PEREZ, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Thousands of people flocked to the Galveston's seawall to be a... Photo-6179963.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A passing motorist attempts to pick up Ronette Smith, right, as she relaxes on the roof of a friends car with Mona Anderson, left, near Broadway and Seawall Blvd. in Galveston, Texas Sunday afternoon March 22, 2001 during Beach Party Weekend. less

A passing motorist attempts to pick up Ronette Smith, right, as she relaxes on the roof of a friends car with Mona Anderson, left, near Broadway and Seawall Blvd. in Galveston, Texas Sunday afternoon March 22, ... more

LaKeitha Butler, left, Vinnie Banks, center, and She-She Carter pose for photographs and video taping by guys partying Sunday afternoon March 22, 2001 on Galveston's seawall during Beach Party Weekend. The concerts planned during the event have been mostly rejected by the revelers in favor of girls being photographed by guys as they walk and cruise along the seawall. less

LaKeitha Butler, left, Vinnie Banks, center, and She-She Carter pose for photographs and video taping by guys partying Sunday afternoon March 22, 2001 on Galveston's seawall during Beach Party Weekend. The ... more

Vick (would not give last name), his boa 'Big Boy,' and his boys (wished to remain nameless) walk down the seawall Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. Thousands of people flocked to Galveston to be a part of Beach Party 2001. Galveston officials say there could be 200,000 visitors on the island to participate in the festivities. less

Vick (would not give last name), his boa 'Big Boy,' and his boys (wished to remain nameless) walk down the seawall Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. Thousands of people flocked to Galveston to be a part ... more

Constable George Loner, precint four, gives the thumbs up to party goers as traffic slows to a crawl on I-45 Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. 'They are just here to have fun ,' said Constable Loner. Thousands people flocked to Galveston to be a part of Beach Party 2001. Galveston officials say there could be 200,000 visitors on the island to participate in the festivities. less

Constable George Loner, precint four, gives the thumbs up to party goers as traffic slows to a crawl on I-45 Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. 'They are just here to have fun ,' said Constable Loner. ... more

Party goers take a stroll down I-45 as traffic slows to a crawl Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. Thousands people flocked to Galveston to be a part of Beach Party 2001. Galveston officials say there could be 200,000 visitors on the island to participate in the festivities. less

Party goers take a stroll down I-45 as traffic slows to a crawl Saturday, April 21, 2001 in Galveston. Thousands people flocked to Galveston to be a part of Beach Party 2001. Galveston officials say there ... more

Photo: CHRISTOBAL PEREZ, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Party goers take a stroll down I-45 as traffic slows to a crawl... Photo-6179969.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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En route to Beach Party Weekend 2000 in Galveston, Antonia Walker waits traffic out on the window frame, while friend Caroline Cabrera hangs out through the sunroof on Broadway near 11th St. Saturday April 15, 2000. Cabrera said the group's drive from Oklahoma was 8 hours long, but to move a few blocks on Broadway in traffic took about 4 1/2 hrs. less

En route to Beach Party Weekend 2000 in Galveston, Antonia Walker waits traffic out on the window frame, while friend Caroline Cabrera hangs out through the sunroof on Broadway near 11th St. Saturday April 15, ... more

During Beach Party Weekend 2000 in Galveston, the crowd is seen along the shoreline with one way traffic proceeding along Seawall Blvd. Saturday Apri15, 2000.

During Beach Party Weekend 2000 in Galveston, the crowd is seen along the shoreline with one way traffic proceeding along Seawall Blvd. Saturday Apri15, 2000.

Photo: Andrew Innerarity, Houston Chronicle

During Beach Party Weekend 2000 in Galveston, the crowd is seen... Photo-6179973.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A carload of young women wave as they make their way down Galveston's Broadway Saturday for the Beach Party Weekend. Streets carried bumper-to-bumper traffic as thousands of students from colleges across the Southeast flocked to the city for the annual event. less

A carload of young women wave as they make their way down Galveston's Broadway Saturday for the Beach Party Weekend. Streets carried bumper-to-bumper traffic as thousands of students from colleges across the ... more

Photo: Kevin Fujii, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

A carload of young women wave as they make their way down... Photo-6179974.84098 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Steady rain in Galveston dampened beach plans Saturday during the first day of the Kappa Beach Party '98 weekend. However, celebrants at the Comfort Inn didn't let being confined inside spoil their fun as they watched traffic go by on Seawall Boulevard. The spring event has grown into one of the largest held in Galveston, drawing many people who have no connection with the fraternity. This year's festivities have been much less of a problem for Galveston island because of an extensive traffic plan designed to prevent gridlock. The traditional weekend event was started by Kappa Alpha Psi, a national black college fraternity in 1983. less

Steady rain in Galveston dampened beach plans Saturday during the first day of the Kappa Beach Party '98 weekend. However, celebrants at the Comfort Inn didn't let being confined inside spoil their fun as they ... more